Wendy Sefcik

Wendy Sefcik is a wife and mother of 3 boys.  She graduated from Ohio State with a degree in communications and Seton Hall School of Law.

At 26, Wendy lost her first husband, J.R. Giebler, in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21, 1988.  She became an advocate for airline and airport security as a founding member of The Victims of Pan Am Flight 103.

Wendy remarried and had 3 children with her husband, Steve.  Wendy and Steve’s 16-year-old son, T.J., died by suicide.  He was extremely sensitive, yet outgoing, funny, and an honor student, and varsity athlete.  He was the life of the party, but with inner pain that he kept well hidden.  T.J. suffered from depression and lost his battle with the disease on December 1, 2010.  Through the overwhelming pain of losing her precious son, Wendy works each day to count her blessings and to give thanks for all she has been given instead of all she has lost.

Wendy has worked to educate herself on teen depression and other mental health disorders in teens in the hopes of helping others from suffering the same fate as T.J.  She strives to raise awareness of the importance of mental health, depression and mood disorders in teens, and to provide hope to those with these issues and to those who have suffered a traumatic loss.

Along with her husband, Steve, and son, Matt, Wendy has presented in schools, colleges, community events, and corporate lunch-and-learns to raise awareness of the importance of taking care of your mental health and to be aware of suicide risk factors in teens. The family has presented to over 30,000 students, parents, educators and mental health professionals. Their program weaves their family’s story in with the red flags of teen depression and suicide risk. It provides guidance of what to do when you or someone you care about may be struggling. The program also gives hope by sharing examples of people who have struggled with depression and have gone on to lead productive, full lives. We also offer suggestions of where to turn for help.

Wendy believes that raising awareness and sharing insights with educators, parents and children can greatly reduce the senseless loss of life from suicide. While suicide remains a leading cause of death in this country, it is totally preventable. No lives should be lost to suicide.

In addition to the Remembering T.J. program, Wendy was appointed by the governor's office to the NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council and is currently serving as Chair. She also serves as Chair for the NJ Chapter Board for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is on staff in Bergen County as their Suicide Prevention Coordinator, and serves as a Board Member for the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County.  Wendy regularly attends workshops and training seminars on mental health and suicide prevention.  Most important she provides support and guidance for parents of struggling teens and those dealing with suicide loss.